Motor controller



Oct. 9, 1928. 1,686,753

R. G. LOCKETT MOTOR CONTROLLER Filed Dec. 31, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iii F3 IN V EN TOR.

zwhmwm -'1'", a a m -MM ATTORNEY 4 Oct. 9, 1928.

R. G. LOCKETT MOTOR CONTROLLER Filed Dec. 31, 1926' 2 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR. Raw 9. mm 8% MW ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 9, 1928.

" UNITED STATES 1,685,753 PATENT OFFICE;

RALPH G. LocKE'rT, or MILWAUKEE, wrscoivsm,"nssrenon 'ro'rnn CUTLER-HAM- MER Mrs. 00., or MILWAUKEE, Wiscons n, A CQRPORATIQN: or WISCONSIN.

MOTQR coiv'rnornnn.

Application .filed December 31,. 1926. Serial No. 158300.-

This inventionrelates to improvements in motor. controllers, and the invention more particularly relatesto controllers for. motors driving mine ventilating fans and the like.

In such installationsthe controller is pref erably located at the mine along with the fan driving motor, whereas the source of power supply may be located a considerable distance away from the mine. .It'is therefore desirable that the controllershall function automatically to complete an energizing circuit for the .motor to effect normal operationthereof at a given speed immediately upon .energization of the supply .lines. It is further extremely desirable that the controller shall function automatically to complete an energizing circuit for the motor toeifect operation thereof at a higher speed upon re-energization ofthesupply. lines after a failure of power supply. The fan may thus make up for lost time, so to speak; whereas the con,- troller may be'operated at will to re-establish the initial circuit connections for the motor whereby the latter is brought back to normal speed.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and eflicient controller for performing the aforementioned desirable functions.

Another and more specific object is to provide a controller which is operable automatically to initially connect a motor for operation thereof at a given speed, and which is also operable automatically to reconnect the motor for operation thereof at a higher speed upon re establishment of the power supply after failure of the latter.

Another object is to provide associated means to permit changing from said higher speed to normal speed at will.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

The accompanying drawing illustrates an embodiment of my invention which will now bedescribed, it being understood thatthe invention is susceptible of embodiment in other forms without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a schematic and diagrammatic view of a controller constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 2 is an across-the-line diagram of the circuits and connections illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. '1, the

reference character -M designates a driving motor. for a mine ventilating fan or the like (not shown). i Said-motor may be of any suitable; type, and-as shown comprises an armature 5.and series, field 6. Resistance sections, r r andr? are normally adapted to be included in the motor circuit to provide for operationthereof at agiven speed, means being providediorexcluding certain of said resistance sections fromcircuit under given conditionsto increase; the speed of the motor, as hereinafter described. The controller as-shown comprises av pluralityyof normally open electromagnetically operable relays A, B,-C and X and a normally open electromagnetically operable main switch D. Relays A, B and C are of the double-pole type, the main contacts of relay A being indicated at a and a whereas said relay is also provided with normally closed auxiliary. contacts aiand normally open auxiliary contacts a- .The-main contactsof relay Bare indicated-atxb and 12 whereas said relay isa-lso provided with normally open auxiliary contacts 6 and normally closed auxiliary contacts Nand b. The main contacts of relay' C are indicated at andc whereas said relay is also provided with normally open auxiliary contacts 0 and normally closed auxiliary-contacts 0. The main contacts of switch D are indicated at (Z whereas said switch isalso provided with normally openauxiliary contacts at. The contacts of relay X are indicated at :0 Relay B is adapted upon closure to hemechanically held in closed position through engagement of a suitable projection 7 with a latch member 8 of an-electromagnetically releasable latching device T Relay C is likewise adapted upon closure to be mechanically held in closed position through engagement of projection Elwith .a latch member 10 of an elec-tromagnetically releasable latching device T A normally open push button switch P is adaptedwhen closed to provide for joint energization of the tripping coils of devices T and T whereby relays l3 and C are per mitted to reopen. If desired, a knife switch KS may be provided for disconnecting the motor and the controller from the supply lines L L 1 Operation of the controller will now be described with particular reference to the diagram of Fig. 2. Thus assuming energization of power supply lines L L and closure of knife sWitchiKS,anaanergiiingjcincuit willzbe provided for the operating" winding of relay A; said circuit extending from line L by BEST AVAlLABLE COP\ g'izing *circzi-itis' pro vided 'forfthe winding of 1clay"C;'said circuit e'xtendingtroni"line L by conductor 28 through normally closed conconductor llthroughnormally closedauxil-s itactsoi-ot relay A, conductors 29 and. 30

iary contacts-Foot,r.la.y'-B,\conductors l2, I3 and'lthrough said Winding, and by conductor 15 to line L Relay A in closingeom pletes a maintaining circuit for its Winding;

said maintainins circuit extendin'gifromfline L by conductor 16 throngh the main contacts a of said relay, conductors 17 andl t through said winding and byconfductor'15 to'line lfi 'Upon closure of the i normally open auxil iary-conta cts' a ofrelay' A an energizing c ii cuit is proyi'dedft'or'the operating Winding of relay B; said circuit extending fromFL? by conductor 16 through main con'tacts 'ai of'relay A, conductors 17, and '18 througlr normally closed auxiliary 5 contacts 6 of ;relay B, conductor 19 through said auxiliary contacts a; conductor 20 through said Wind ing, and by conductor-21'to line-ll 'Relay B thereupon "closes 'andis latched in closed-position by enga'gementofprojection 7-witli latch meniberflS F-igfl l) whereas'said relay in closing interruptsits own energizing circuit through' opening of its-a'nxiliary' tacts Zr; and also interrupts the initial' ener grizing circuit for =the winding (if relayA throughopenino of-its auxiliary contacts 7). Relay Ain.closingelfectscpening' o'f'i't's nor; mally closed auiiiliary contacts (2?, thereby preventing completion of an 'energizing' circuit for the Winding ofirlay C uponclosure of the normally open auxiliary "contacts "15 o'f'relay E-as will be obvious. r P Upon closure of relays 'A ancl-B-in the manner a'foredescribe'd. -an energizing circuit is provided -for tliewin'dingofma'in switch I); said c'ircnit extending froin line 'L con- -ducto r'22 throuQhihe main cont-acts 6 50f relay 'B, conductors 23' and 24' through the main contacts a? of relay" A conductors '25 and 26 through saidti 'inding and by conductor 27 to line L I, Switch Djthereupon closes and completes an energizing circuit for'motorM'to effect operation thereof at ii -predetermined normal speed, said circuit extendine'tromfline L through the main contacts it of said switch, thence'throue'h resistance sections 1, 7 and we in series, and-thence through the armature '5'and'ser'ies field 6 to line 1L "Motor'M cont-innes to "operate at normal speed pending failure of line voltage or other interrupt-i on of the-power supply. @Under such conditions relay A assumes its normally openposition, whereas relay B'is held in its closerl position "by the latching;means aforede'scribed.

' iUpon re-energizationof thepow'er supply lines energization of the Winding-of relay A 'is prevented dueto' open positioning of an);- iliary contacts 7) of relay Bf as aforedescribed. HoWeyer, with relayAxopenand re- 'lay :Bclosed undertheseconditions, an enerthrongh normally open contacts 1) of relay B, conductor 31 through normally closed con- -.'tactsro"otrrelay C, conductor 32 through said winding, and by conductor 33 to line L Relay Cthereupon closes and is latched in closed position by engagement of projection 9 with'latch"Ineinber' 10 Fig '1) Whereas said relay in closing interrupts 'its own onergizing jcircuit through opening'-'of itsaux iliary contaets 'cfl Relays -13 and {C being thus :clos'ed, an energizing circuitis provided for tlie' inding'of sWitch D; said circuit extending'froni 'lin e L by conductor 22 through maincontacts 5 ofrelay B; conductors 23 and 3klthroughinain-contacts and c of relay C, conductors 35 and 26 through 'said winding, 'andby conductor'27 'to'line lf. Closure ofmain contaets d of switch D- completes a circuit ffor 'motor"M through resistance sections 1 j f and 57, as afored'escribed. "Moreover, upon closure-of normally open contacts rl of sWitch D under the -last mentioned conditions, anencrgizin'g 'ci rcuitis provided for the lwindin'g of relay 'S aid circuit niaybe traced from line' L by conductor 22, through niain'contact-s Zi ot' rl-ay B, conductors 23 and g t thniugh' main contacts 0 of re'lay-'C,-conductor '36tlirough said auxiliary contacts 'tZ ,'-'condu ctor g'l'ftlirong' li s-aid winding, and by condnctor'38' to line If. Relay X thereupon effects closure or" its contacts m dthus short-circuiti 11g resistance section 44. Motor TM thereuponoperates' at an increased spe'ed until itfis tle'siredto again operatethe-inotor at normal spec d. "j L "Such reduc'tion'in speed of'inotor'M may be obtained-Qby-momentarily depressing push button switch P, which provides an energizing circuit "forthetripping coils n'f each of the latching deyicesT mid'T The energizing circuit tor the coil of deyiceTl may he traced from line L by conductor 28 through normally closed contacts a? of relay A conductors '29 and '39 through saidpush button switch P, conductors 40 and '41 through main. contacts 5 ol? relay B, conductorv4c2 through said coil,":1nd by conductor 43 toline'L Similarly. theenerfg'zizing cir cuit for the coil of device/l extends 'froni line L to conductor 40 "asjjust traced. thence 'by conductor 44 through auxiliary contacts .10" are'lat'ched in'close'd position in the manner circuit is provided for the winding of switch D,- which closes to complete the'first mentioned circuitof motor M for operation'of the latter at normalspeed.

n is-to be noted'that when as, B and o aforedescribed said high speed connections for-the'motorwill bep'ro'v'ided upon restoration of I the power line voltageafter failure thereof, In other words, reopening of relays B and C is dependent upon operation of the push button switch P, as aforeindicated.

- While I have particularly describedmy invention as applied to the control of driving motors for mine'ventilating fans, it will be obvious to those skilled in' the art that the same is likewise applicable to the control of driving motors for liquid pumps, and in other installations wherein the particular control functions hereby obtainable are-desired.

It is tobe understood that the resistance varying meansherein shown is merely illustrative,inasmuch as other types of motor starting and accelerating devices may obviously be employed. Thus, the arrangement may be such that a plurality of resistance sections are initially included in and a portion thereof gradually excluded from the circuit of the' motorto provide for starting and acceleration thereof to normal speed, whereas under the other conditions aforementioned alarger portion of said resistance will be excluded to provide for acceleration of the motor to a higher speed;

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a controller for electriomotors, the combination with means for initially com-' pleting a circuit for the motor for effecting running thereof at a predetermined constant speed,- and means operable automatically upon restoration of the power supply after failure thereof for completing a circuit for the motor for effecting running thereof at a different predetermined speed.

2. In a controller for electric motors, the combination with means for initially completing a circuit for the motor for eifecting running thereof at apredetermined constant speed, means operable automatically upon restoration of the power supply after failure thereof for completing the circuit of the motor for effecting running'thereof at apredetermined increased speed.

3.,In a controller for electric motors, the combination with means for initially completing a circuit for the motor for effecting running thereof ata predetermined constant speed, means operable automatically upon restoration of the power supply after failure thereof for completing a circuit for the motor for effecting running thereof at a predetermined increased speed, and means operable thereafter for. reconnecting the motor for effecting runningthereof at said firstmentioned speed.

4. In a controller for electric motors, the

combination with means operable automatically to initially complete a circuit for the motor for effecting running thereof at predetermined constant speed, means operable au-* tomatically upon restoration of the power supply after failure thereof to complete a circuit for the motor for effecting running thereof at a predetermined increased speed, and manually-operable means for effecting interruption of said last-mentioned circuit to thereby permit automatic restoration of said first-mentioned circuit.

5. In a controller for motors driving mine ventilating fans and the like, the combination with electroresponsive means operable automatically to initially complete a circuit for the motor for effecting, operation thereof at a given speed, said electroresponsive means being operable automatically upon restoration of the power supply after failure thereof to complete a'circuit for the motor for effecting operation thereof at a relatively higher speed, and manually operable means for restoring said electroresponsive means to its initial condition to thereby provide for automatic restoration of said first mentioned circuit for the motor.

6. In a controller for motors driving mine ventilating fans and the like, the combination with electroresponsive means operable automatically to initially complete a circuit for the motor for effecting operation thereof at normal speed, said means comprising a normally open eleotroresponsive main switch and a pair of normally open electroresponsive relays adapted when closed to complete an energizing circuit therefor, contacts on one of said relays requiring open positioning of the latter prior to completion of the energizing circuit of the other relay and contacts on said second mentioned relay requiring closure of the latter prior to completion of the energizing circuit of said first mentioned relay, and means for holding said first mentioned relay in closed position upon failure of line voltage while permitting reopening of said second mentioned relay whereby upon return of line voltage an energizing circuit is completed for a third normally open electroresp onsive relay, said first mentioned and third mentioned relays being adapted when closed to complete a circuit for the motor for operation thereof at a speed above normal.

7. In a controller for motors driving mine ventilating fans and the like, the combination with electroresponsive means operable automatically to initially complete a circuit for the motor for effecting operation thereof at normal speed, said means comprising a normally open electroresponsive:main switch and pair of normally open elcctroresponsive relays adapted when-closed to complete anenergizing circuit therefor, contacts on one-of said "clays requiring open positionlng of the latter prior to completion of the. energizing circuit of theotherrelay and contacts on saidsecond mentioned relay requiring closure of the latter prior to completion ofthcfenergizing circuit of said first mentioned relay, .means for holding said,first:mentioned-relay inclosed position uponfailure of line voltage while permlt-tingi reopening of said second mentionedrelay,whereby; upon return of line voltage'an energizing circuitis completed for a third normally open electrorespousive relay, said first m entioned and third mentioned relays being adapted whenclosed' tocomplete a circuit for-the motor for. operation-thereof at aspeed above normal, andmanually operable means for, restoring said electroresponsive means to initial condition to provide for'automat-ic restorationof said first-mentioned cir-' cuit for the motor.

8; Ina motorcontrollenin combination, a

said switch, means requiring open positioning of one of said relays to effect energization and closure of the other of the same,-means requiring closure of said second mentioned relay to effect energization and closure of said first mentioned rela mechanical'nieans for latching said first mentioned relay-in closed,.posi'-- tion to thereby prevent re-encrgization of said second mentioned relay upon restoration of the powersupply after fallure thereof, a.

third normally open electroresponsive'relay the energizing circuit of which iscompleted under the aforementioned conditions of clos ure of said first inentioned relay and opening of said second mentioned relay, means adapted upon closure of said first mentioned and third mentionedrelays to again complete the energizing circuit of said switch, and means adapted upon closure of said third mentioned rcla y and said switch to commutate the circuit connections of said motor for effecting operation thereof at an increased speed.-

9. In a controller for electric motors, in combination, meansfor initially connecting the motor for effecting operation thereof at a given speed, and meansoperablc uponrestoration of the power supply after failure thereof to connect the motor for efiect-ing operation thereof at a higher speed,-said means comprising anormally open electrorespo-nsive main switch, and a pair of normally open electroresponsive relays for initially controlling the energizing circuitthereof, means requiring open positioning of one of said relays to BEST AVAILABLE COP\,

effect energization and closure; of the other, i means requirlngclosure of the-second-=-1I1en-, v

a third normally, open electroresponsiveare lay the energizing circuiti of which-is com pleted; during-s1n1ultaneous closureof said first mentioned relay and opemng ofsaid second-mentioned relay,- said first mentioned-- and third mentionedrelays when-closedbeing; adapted to again complete the energizing of said-main switch for effecting connection of, said motorfor operation'thereof at said given speed, and means associated with said switch and said thirdJmehtioned relay'vfor simul-' taneously'-, commutating the circuit -connections of the motor for, effecting operation ofthe'lat-ter at anincre'as'ed-speed. v lO'..-In:a motorcontroller, in combination, a normally open ele'ctroresponsive switch adapted when closedto complete an .energizing circuit for the motorfor operation thereof at a given speed, mea-ns'for'initially-c0111- pleting an-energizmg'circuit for said switch, said means comprising a-nor'mally-open electrores'ponsive relay having cont-acts adapted when closed to provide a maintaining circuit therefor, a second. normally open electrore. sponsiverelay having normally closed auxiliary contacts adaptedto automaticallycomplete an energizing-circuit forsaidfirst men' tioned relay, said first mentionedr'elay alsohaving normally openconta'ctsadapted when closed to'complete an energizing circuitrfor said second mentionedrela-y, said second mentioned relay in'closing being adaptedzto interrupt itsw energizing circuit, mechanical means for latching said second mentionedirelay in closed-position, said first mentioned relay and s'aid'switch beinginovableto open position upon interruption of line. voltage, said first mentioned relay in open position and sa-idsecond mentioned relay in closed posit-ion'being adapted to complete an energizing circuit for a third normally open elec troresponsive relay upon return of line volt age, said second mentioned and third men'-' tioned relays when closed beingadapted to complete an alternative energizing circuit for said switch; and cooperating means on said switch and said relays for completing the energizing circuit for another relay, said last mentioned relay when closed being adapted to commuta-te' the circuit of saidv motor for effecting operation thereof at a higher speed. 7

11. In a motor controller, in combination. normally open electroresponsive relays A, B and C, and an electroresponsive main switch D and an elect-roresp'onsive accelerating relay X to be controlled thereby, means requiring open positioning; of relay B to'eifect energization and closure of relay A, and meansrequiring closure of relay A to effect energization and closure of relay B, said relays A and B when closed being adapted to complete an energizing circuit for switch D only to provide for operation of the motor at a given speed, and means adapted upon failure of power line voltage to permit reopening of reer speed.

, 12. In a motor controller, incombination, normally open electroresponsive relays A, B and C, and an electroresponsive main switch D and an electroresponsive accelerating relay X to be controlled thereby, means requiring open positioning of relay B to effect energizetion and closure of relay A, and means requiring closure of relay A to effect energization and closure of relay B, said relays A and B when closed being adapted to complete an energizing circuit for switch D only to provide for operation of the motor at a given speed, means adapted upon failure of power line voltage to permit reopening of relay A and switch D while maintaining relay B in closed position, whereby upon return of power an energizing circuit is completed for relay C, said relays B and C when closed being adapted to again complete an energizing circuit for switch D to provide for operation of the motor at said given speed and being also adapted to cooperate with said switch D to provide an energizing circuit for relay X for effecting operation of the motor at a higher speed, and manually controlled. means for effecting reopening of relays B and C whereby switch D and relay X are de-energized and to permit reclosure of switch D only through automatic reclosure of relays A. andB in the sequence aforementioned.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

RALPH G. LOOKETT. 

